Challenge 3.19: "GIVE UP RESEARCH; DON'T RUIN YOUR REPUTATION!"

[Guest guest]

SwAmi VEdAnta DEsika's "NaichyAnusanthAnam" and

"SAtvika AhamkAram "

(As gleaned from his StOtras.) -

Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES!

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Dear Bhagavatas

Kindly refer to "Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES! An Introductory Note" - posted on

10th October 99. I am leaving out this to avoid repetition

You may read that to appreciate this posting in the proper perspective.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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Challenge 3.19: "GIVE UP RESEARCH; DON'T RUIN YOUR REPUTATION!"

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yadhvA madartha pari chinthanayA thava alam

samjnAm prapanna ithi sAhasikO bibharmi /

evam sthithE tvad apavAdha nivruthayE mAm

pAtree kurushva bhagavan! Bhavathah krupAyAh: //

(SaraNAgathi Deepikai SlOkam 50)

 

Meaning

 

"Oh! ViLakkoLi perumAnE!

You don't have to research my credentials or qualifications as to whether

I have done Prapatti in the proper manner to deserve your grace.

 

Rightly or wrongly, I bear the stamp of a "SaraNAgatha" and you bear the

stamp of "SaraNAgatha vatsala". This very fact imposes a duty on you to

protect me.

 

And, you know how all our AzhwArs and AchAryas; nay the entire world vouches

for these facts.

 

If you don't do this, you will be breaking your own promise of not forsaking

even one that has merely posed himself as a "SaraNAgatha"

 

This opprobrium will only spoil your hard earned image and goodwill.

 

At least, in view of this risk of tarnishing your reputation, you have

necessarily to save me"

 

Comment

 

SwAmi is not only a Kavi but also verily a "ThArkika Simham".

No wonder, he corners the Lord Himself asking Him to halt his enquiries over

the suitability of conferring bliss on SwAmi.

 

SwAmi seems to suggest that while the Lord had taken enormous efforts to

build up his image as "SaraNAgath Vatsala", his own image of being a

"SaraNAgatha" was acquired quite easily.

 

So, he seems to say-

 

"If you care to keep up your image in tact -You have to accept my image, in

fact".

 

"If you fail to do so, the loss of reputation for you will be enormous

while the loss for me would be comparatively trivial"

 

"Please ponder over the comparative magnitude of loss of face and you will be

convinced of how saving me would be gainfully strategic for both of us!"

 

Cf: Thirumangai AzhwAr who similarly says that he was known by the whole

world as true devotee of the Lord-

 

"dEsam ariya umakkE AaLAi thiriginra"

meaning-

' the whole world knows how I am your eternal servant" and

 

"gathiyenrum thAnAvAn karudhAthu oru peNN koDiyai vadhai seidhAn ennum soll

vaiyagathAr madhiyArE"

 

meaning -

"You will lose respect in the eyes of the world as one who mercilessly

tortured an innocent and totally dependent girl"

 

SwAmi warns the Lord not to tarnish His good name

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To Continue- Challenge 3.20: "SAVE YOURSELF FROM IGNOMINY!"

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